60 FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE AFTER EXPLOSION AT CAR WORKS

SIXTY firefighters battled a massive blaze after explosions ripped through a panel beaters' yard in Hurst.

The blaze was so intense that worried neighbours rang emergency services reporting a plane had crashed or a hot air balloon had exploded in Nelsons Lane, just before 10pm last Tuesday.

Calls also came in from motorists on the M4, more than half a mile away, as flames leapt 15ft into the air.

Three 2,000 litre tanks of liquid petroleum gas and eight cars were destroyed after the fire broke out at Phoenix Yard, but only superficial damage was caused to buildings, a Royal Berkshire Fire Service spokeswoman said. No-one was injured.

The fire's cause is not yet known, but both fire and police officers are continuing to investigate.

Ten fire crews were sent to the yard while the police helicopter was called in to use its heat-seeking cameras to examine the main areas of the fire.

Fire service spokeswoman Nichole Targett said: "It was quite a spectacular fire. The area is quite sparsely populated but we received 23 calls from the public. Obviously a few people heard the explosions.

"Our crews were 100 metres away and they could feel the heat."

The neighbouring A321 was closed until 2am Wednesday, and it took more than four hours to put out the blazing tanks and cars.

Two fire crews remained at the yard throughout the day dampening down hot-spots and the gas tanks.

Jonathan Bryce, who is managing director of Apex Accident Repair Centre Ltd in Nelsons Lane, learned of the explosion while he was in casualty with his son who had broken his wrist. And just hours before Mr Bryce had been involved in a car crash.

Mr Bryce said: "I was in casualty joking with the nurse that things come in threes and what could possibly happen next when I got a call to say their had been an explosion. I just couldn't believe it."

Staff at the nearby Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre feared for the safety of the animals in their care.

Janet North, manager, said: "Many of the buildings here are made out of wood and had the wind been blowing in a different direction it could have been worse.

"We were very worried about the animals but fortunately none of them suffered any serious distress."

Graham Campbell, of Pounds Lane, was watching television when he heard a "muffled thump" which shook the windows of his cottage less than half-a-mile way.

He said: "I went outside and you could feel the heat and saw great mushroom clouds of smoke — it was like blitzed London."

Dora Martin and Paul Page from Winnersh were enjoying a quiet night in when they saw the explosion.

Mrs Martin said: "I was in the kitchen pouring some wine when the whole sky just lit up — I couldn't believe it."

Mr Page added: "It was a huge explosion, you could see it from miles around."

Sub Officer Eddie Cardoso, based at Wokingham Fire Station, said: "When we arrived we were confronted by a very severe fire and there were several explosions.

"We were forced to hold back until it was safe for us to move in and the heat was very intense.

"Eventually we tackled the blaze and had it under control in a couple of hours and we have spent Wednesday dampening down."

Investigations into the cause of the fire were still being carried out as the Wokingham Times went to press, but police said it was being treated as suspicious until evidence proved otherwise.